LG Watch Urbane LTE First Look: Not The Perfect Smartwatch

The smartwatch market continues to grow and although LG has just announced the Watch Urbane at this year's MWC, it's now introduced the Watch Urbane LTE. It has a similar look and feel to the standard Watch Urbane.

Although LG's Watch Urbane runs on Android Wear, meanwhile, the Watch Urbane LTE is pre-loaded with WebOS. That's LG's own OS which it used for the Watch Urbane LTE. With its own SIM slot, the Watch Urbane LTE can possibly do everything your standard phone can do like make calls, send texts and connect to 4G network.

LG Watch Urbane LTE First Look: Form Factor, Design and Operating System

The LG Watch Urbane LTE is a step forward from the G Watch R. Unlike the Samsung Gear S, LG's Watch Urbane LTE has a practical design. It has the round face, and will be made available in two colour scheme: gold and silver. The demo unit which we got to see had a rubber strap which wasn't too pleasing. On the right-hand side, you'll notice three buttons. The top one is used to change the settings screen, the middle one is the back button and the bottom button is used to open the app launcher. On the rear side, it has a heart rate monitor, like other modern day intelligent watch. Plus, you'll also notice a microphone and a standard speaker.

The Watch Urbane LTE feels and looks like a traditional watch. On the downside, though, it felt a bit heavy on arm due to excessive use of steel. Otherwise, the Watch Urbane LTE is well made, with a sturdy stainless body.

While the Watch Urbane runs on the Android Wear platform, the Watch Urbane LTE is running LG's very own WebOS. LG explained that because of Android Wear restrictions they had to create their own OS to make the watch compatible with LTE networks. Basically LG's webOS OS has a smartphone-like features. You can make calls, sent test messages and exchange e-mails.

The device comes pre-loaded with a limited number of apps, though, we got to see LG Health app. There's a walkie talkie feature added that lets you speak to multiple features as long as they have an access to the Watch Urbane LTE. Other than that, you will obviously find fitness-related features embedded in the watch. The native software runs smoothly on the device, but it doesn't look good. It seemed that we were looking at software designed by interns over at LG electronics.

The watch uses a 1.3-inch POLED (320 x320) display like the previous G Watch R. It is good for viewing content. Like most smartwatches already available on the market at the moment, the Watch Urbane LTE has 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. It's running on a Snapdragon 400 processor under the hood which should be perfect in reference to the processing output.

Connectivity on the Watch Urbane LTE is not an issue. This LTE watch connect to cellular networks independently without depending on a companion device. Plus, it has built-in GPS, NFC, Bluetooth and a microphone.

Our only concern about the Watch Urbane LTE is the battery life. Even though it packs a 700mAh battery, but it noted that the battery needs to power an entry-level smartphone on your wrist.

LG Watch Urbane LTE First Look: Early Verdict

The LG Watch Urbane LTE might look close to a traditional watch, but we just don't understand the purpose of an intelligent watch that can make calls on its own. Samsung, another major player in the wearable segment, recently launched the Gear S with a built-in SIM connectivity. As expected, the device has not been encouraging due to its unappealing design. Plus, it's too expensive.